In an intelligence-led operation this morning (Monday) officers from Revenue’s Customs Service seized 30,060 cigarettes with a retail value of approximately €15,000 and a car in Ennis.
The cigarettes were seized following the execution of search warrants at a private house and a business premises in Ennis. Revenue’s tobacco detector dog Harvey gave a positive reaction to packages and boxes found to contain cigarettes. Brands seized include West, Winston Slims, Rothmans Slims and Marlboro.
A Russian man in his thirties was questioned by officers from Revenue’s Customs Service and the investigation is ongoing with a view to prosecution.
Members of An Garda Síochána also assisted with this operation.
This seizure is part of Revenue’s on-going operations targeting the supply and sale of illegal cigarettes in the shadow economy. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding the smuggling or sale of illegal cigarettes or tobacco, they can contact Revenue in confidence on free phone number 1800 295 295.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.